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For immediate release
July 12, 2023
Lanark County Council joined the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan, and County Warden Peter McLaren at 188 Chambers Street in Smiths Falls to celebrate the completion and opening of the County’s newest community housing building.
As part of the County’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan and under direction of County Council, the Chambers Street residence was constructed. The building contains five rent-geared-to-income units including two fully accessible and three barrier free units. There are four one-bedroom units and one bachelor unit. The building has electric heat pumps that provide heating and cooling without greenhouse gas emissions. The roof is steel, and the insulation exceeds the Ontario Building Code requirement. The first tenants moved into their new home on June 1st of this year.
Through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) the province invested over $1.63 million into the construction of the 188 Chambers Street building, funding the entire project. SSRF funding supported Service Managers, such as Lanark County, to respond to and address the housing and economic impacts of COVID-19 by creating long-term affordable housing solutions. SSRF provided flexible funding to all 47 of Ontario’s Service Managers and two Indigenous Program Administrators to mitigate ongoing risk for vulnerable people, enhance rent assistance to households in rent arrears, and encourage longer-term housing-based solutions to homelessness.
“Our government is committed to tackling the housing supply crisis to ensure more Ontarians are able to find a home that meets their needs and their budgets,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Today’s announcement is a good indication of our commitment to support affordable housing that reflects the needs of the community, including here in Lanark County.”
“The investments made in affordable housing have a very real impact on the future of communities throughout Lanark Frontenac Kingston,” said MPP John Jordan. “The residents of 188 Chambers Street will have a safe, welcoming place to call home and that can make all the difference in addressing the challenges and opportunities that each new day brings. 188 Chambers Street is the result of a collaborative effort with the support of Minister Clark and Provincial funding that keeps affordable housing projects moving ahead in communities throughout Ontario.”
Lanark County council remains committed to its 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan and acknowledges the need for more affordable housing in the community. The County has ambitious goals to increase housing stock and rent assistance programs over a decade. The County is currently partnered with Carebridge Community Supports on another affordable housing project.
Pictured L to R: Smiths Falls Councillor Peter McKenna, Lanark County Councillor Judy Brown, Lanark County Councillor Jeff Carroll, Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow, Lanark County Councillor Brian Dowdall, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Lanark County Councillor Steve Fournier, Lanark County CAO Kurt Greaves, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan and Lanark County Warden Peter McLaren.
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